Method and device for detecting liquid containers

ABSTRACT

In a reverse vending apparatus for detecting containers, e.g., bottles of glass or plastic, or packaging made of metal, wood, glass or plastic which for the recycling of materials or reuse of the container are inserted in the machine and conveyed past a detector station containing a video camera, a video image analyser (125, 130) is connected to the video camera in order to analyse the video image whilst the container (B) is conveyed in lying position and with its axis parallel to the direction of transport past the video camera (109). The video analyser (125) contains a calculator component (130) for determining, when the container moves into the video image, whether the container enters the detection zone (video image) mouth (B1) (e.g., top portion or neck of bottle) (FIG. 3b) first or bottom (B2) (FIG. 3c) first, and a control component (130) which causes the container to be fed back to a container insertion portion of the apparatus if the container comes mouth first, and which has a signalling means for signalling to the apparatus user to turn the container (B) so that it is inserted bottom first when reinserted, or causes the container to be fed on to a discharge station if it comes bottom first. The analyser may moreover contain one or more of the following pieces of supplementary equipment: a container position detector (131), a container shape calculation circuit (132), a colour determination circuit (133), a &#34;best analysis image&#34; circuit (136), a bar code reader (134) and a detector (138) for determining whether the container contains residual liquid or another substance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and a device for detectingcontainers, e.g., bottles of glass or plastic, or cans made of metal,wood, glass or plastic, which for the recycling of materials or reuse ofthe container, are transported in a lying position and with their axisparallel to the direction of transport past a detection zone associatedwith a detector station containing a video camera, a video imageanalysis of the container being carried out.

It is previously known to view containers with the aid of a videocamera, such as described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,107, where theobject is to measure in particular the width of the container.

However, the object of the present invention is to solve the problemsassociated with detection of containers which are transported in lyingposition and where the manner in which the containers are inserted mustbe taken into consideration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is therefore to provide technical solutionsused for the detection of containers.

According to the invention the method is characterised by:

a) analysing a sequence of video images of the container whilst it isconveyed past the video camera; and

b) determining the position and movement of the container in a viewingregion of the video camera on the basis of continuous detection of theposition and movement of the container in the video image; and/or

determining, during the movement of the container, by means of the imageof the container which moves into the detection zone (the video image)whether the container enters the video camera field of view either mouthfirst (e.g., top portion or neck of bottle) or bottom first, and causingthe container to be fed back to a container insertion portion if itcomes mouth first, and signalling the need to turn the container so thatit is inserted bottom first when reinserted, or causing the container tobe conveyed on to a discharge station if it comes bottom first.

On the basis of the video picture of the container, it will also bepossible to calculate a characteristic expression of the shape of thecontainer, e.g., contour, surface area in the video image, cross-sectionor the like.

It would be advantageous to be able to produce a colour video image of acontainer which is a bottle of plastic or glass, and determine thecolour of the container in the video image based on the bottle'lighttransmittivity to light which is emitted in a cluster of wave lengths.

In order to ensure best possible analysis results, it is alsoadvantageous to determine the most suitable video image with a view torecognition and identification of the container.

It will also be advantageous to scan continuously a field of the videoimage of the container to search for and register a bar code located onthe container.

The invention may also conceivably be used to detect any longitudinalmarkings in the video image of a container which is a bottle, to emit asignal indicating that the container wholly or partly contains liquid oranother substance, and possibly to return the container to the user foremptying prior to reinsertion.

To obtain a most unambiguous indication, it would be advantageous toweight the container, at the same time as a capacitance measurement iscarried out.

In addition, it will be preferred to analyse whether the container is ofa specific metal type, and this can be carried out using one or moreknown metal detectors.

According to the invention, the device is characterised in that

a) the video image analyser is connected to the video camera in order toanalyse a sequence of video images whilst the container is conveyed pastthe video camera, the video analyser containing:

b) a position detector for determining the position and movement of thecontainer in a viewing region of vision of the video camera on the basisof continuous detection of the position and movement of the container inthe video image, and/or

a calculator component for determining, when the container moves intothe detection zone (the video image), whether the container enters thevideo camera field of view mouth first (e.g., top portion or neck ofbottle) or bottom first, and

a control component which causes the container to be fed back to acontainer insertion portion if it comes mouth first, and which has asignalling means for signalling the need to turn the container so thatit is inserted bottom first when reinserted, or causes the container tobe fed on to a discharge station if it comes bottom first.

In the analyser there may also be included a container shape calculationcircuit which on the basis of the video image of the container isadapted to calculate a characteristic expression of the shape of thecontainer, such as its contour, surface area in the video image,cross-section or the like.

The analyser also contains a circuit which determines the best videoimage of the container with a view to recognition and identification.

It will also be advantageous to allow the video camera to be a colourvideo camera, especially when the container is a bottle of glass orplastic, a lighting unit being provided to illuminate the bottle. Inthis case, the analyser contains a colour determination circuit forestablishing the colour of the container in the video image based on thebottle's light transmittivity to light which is emitted in a cluster ofwave lengths.

Often, bar codes are characteristic for a container, and for thispurpose the analyser may contain a bar code reader which is adapted toscan continuously a field of a video image in order to search for andregister a bar code located on the container.

Insertion of bottles which have contents may cause problems. It istherefore advantageous to allow the analyser to contain a circuit whichis adapted so that when it observes any longitudinal markings in thevideo image of a container which is a bottle it will emit a signalindicating that the bottle, wholly or partly, contains liquid. Inaddition, the container ought to be weighed by a load cell and measuredwith the aid of a capacitance meter.

In connection with the detector station there may be provided a metaldetector that is known per se, especially to detect whether a can of aknown metal is inserted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to theappended drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a reverse vending apparatus for use with the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 and the continuation FIG. 2A show in simplified block diagramform the circuit structure in a reverse vending apparatus as shown inFIG. 1.

FIGS. 3a-3g show typical video images in connection with a detectorstation in the reverse vending apparatus according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a simplified flow chart for a part of the detector function,according to the invention.

FIG. 5a and FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 show a preferred sorting device for usein a reverse vending apparatus as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5b shows a variant of the sorting device for increased sortingpotential.

FIGS. 10-21 show details in connection with a bottle raiser which is apart of the reverse vending apparatus according to the invention.

FIG. 22 shows a variant of the discharge solution from the bottleraiser.

FIG. 23 shows a variant of the bottle raiser in FIGS. 10-21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a reverse vending apparatus where certain parts, interalia, the front panel, have been removed in order to make some detailsmore visible. The reverse vending apparatus consists of three mainsections 100, 200 and 300. The main section 100 has an insertion opening101, wherein containers, such as empty bottles of glass or plastic,optionally containers in the form of empty cans made of glass, plastic,metal or wood, can be placed on a V-shaped conveyor 102 consisting of aninclined conveyor belt 103 which is driven over a pair of rollers 104,105 by means of a motor 106. The V-shaped conveyor also has an inclined,stationarily positioned sliding surface 107. The sliding surface may beequipped with a metal detector 108. A video camera 109 is placed suchthat it looks down towards the conveyor 102, for example, through awindow or opening 110. The reverse vending apparatus will be especiallyuseful in connection with the payment of return deposits, where a userwill be able to insert containers onto the conveyor 102 and request areceipt for the accepted containers by pushing a control button 111. Areceipt will then be supplied via an opening in a printer 112, so thatthe receipt can be exchanged for cash. Alternatively, the printer can bereplaced by a coin dispenser. As a further alternative or supplement, adevice is conceivable wherein the apparatus user can selectivelydetermine that the return deposits are to be donated to a charity, e.g.,the Red Cross, SOS-Kinderdorf, the Salvation Army or the like.

To direct a user of the apparatus, it will be advantageous to use atleast one display 113. However, in addition there can be provided, e.g.,a further display 114. Both the displays can, e.g., be of the LCD type.In those cases where it is desirable to return a container to theapparatus user, there is located in the front portion of the section 100a return opening 115 which communicates with the section 200 wheresorting out can take place.

The section 100 may further contain a loudspeaker 116 for signallingmessages to the user of the reverse vending apparatus or to give audiosignals which summon the attention of the user or the maintenance staff.

In order to detect whether a container is inserted into the reversevending apparatus with some contents, e.g., residual liquid, or containsother foreign bodies, there may be provided, e.g., a load cell 117arranged on the stationary part 107 of the conveyor 102. However, aswill be described below, there will also be other facilities fordetecting whether a container that is inserted contains a substance,e.g., liquid, or not.

To be able to ensure that there is an efficient handling of theapparatus in the event of faults or maintenance and system control, itwould be advantageous to provide a memory card device which makes itpossible to exchange information with a computer in the apparatus byusing special data cards. In this connection, it will also be necessary,for example, for testing, starting and stopping the reverse vendingapparatus or other relevant operations, to provide the apparatus with akeypad 119. A display 120 for maintenance and repair staff can beprovided in the apparatus, preferably in section 100, in connection witha suitable computer 121. Conceivably, the reverse vending apparatus mayalso be connected to a modem, so that data can be tele-transmitted toand from the apparatus, e.g., in connection with fault reports or faultrepair of simple faults. In FIG. 2 the modem is indicated by means ofthe reference numeral 122. Furthermore, it is possible to provide apoint-of-sale (POS) computer 123 in the shop of the business locationwhere the reverse vending apparatus is located. A computer of this kindmight be useful for statistical purposes, communication with check-outsin a shop or supermarket, or to ensure that a receipt that is cashed inat a check-out cannot be cashed in again.

The said functional members 113, 114, 111, 116-123 are, as shown in FIG.2, connected to a motherboard 124 which contains a microprocessor, amemory and input and output units for data to and from the motherboard.The motherboard and thus also the said members 113, 114, 111, plus116-123 are supplied with working voltage, e.g., +24 V DC via themotherboard. The motherboard 124 communicates with a video capture card125, a motor control card 126 and a motor auxiliary card 127 via anexpansion bus 128. The video capture card 125 receives input from thevideo camera 109. The video capture card may contain a digital signalprocessor, a video frame storage device, and means for input and outputof data. The video capture card may be equipped with a lighting means129 so as to be able to provide the right lighting in connection withthe detection of the shape of a container.

Broadly speaking, the video capture card 125 operates as a video pictureanalyser. Consequently, the video capture card 125 may have manyfunctions, according to requirement in respect of what is to be analysedin the video image of the container which is captured by the videocamera 109. According to the invention, the video capture card has aninsertion analyser 130 which analyses the video image whilst thecontainer is conveyed, in lying position and with its axis parallel tothe direction of conveyance, past the video camera. Consequently, thisinsertion analyser may contain a calculator component and a controlcomponent. Before a container, e.g., a bottle, is put on the conveyor102, the video camera 109 will show a video image essentially as shownin FIG. 3a. If the reverse vending machine is to function as intended,it is essential that the container is inserted bottom first. In FIG. 3bit is shown how an attempt is made to insert a bottle mouth (top portionor neck of bottle) first. When a container in the form of a bottle B isinserted top portion and neck B1 first, the calculator in this case hasbeen inserted incorrectly. The control component which is included inthe analyser 130 will cause the container B to be fed back to theinsertion portion of the reverse vending apparatus at the start of theconveyor 102. A signal will be given to the apparatus user that heshould turn the container so that the bottom of the container B isinserted first on reinsertion. When the container is inserted bottomfirst, the video image will appear approximately as shown in FIG. 3c.The bottom of the container, in this case a bottle, is indicated bymeans of the reference B2.

It is important to note that video images are taken continuously forongoing monitoring of the position of an inserted container and also toobserve the insertion of any other containers. The most ideal videoimage is selected by a circuit 136 for further analysis with a view torecognition and identification of the container. Such image analysis isgenerally described in technical literature.

It will immediately be understood that the video picture of thecontainer will have varying appearance, depending upon the appearance ofthe container. FIG. 3a thus merely serves as an example to elucidateessential features of the use of a video camera to obtain a number ofcharacteristic features of a container which is fed past the videocamera 109.

If the starting point for the insertion has been as shown in FIG. 3c,the calculator component would have calculated that the container wasmoving into the video image with the container bottom B2 first, and thuscause the container to be conveyed further to a discharge station ineither section 200 or section 300.

In FIG. 3d it is shown how the outer contour of the bottle is visible.The position which the container 3 has in the range of vision of thevideo camera is determined on the basis of the container's position inthe video image. This can take place with the aid of a position detector131 which constitutes a part of the video capture card. With the aid aposition detector of this kind it is possible to establish where thecontainer is relative of to the length of the detection zone, at thesame time as the position detector 131 indicates separation betweencontainers that are inserted.

The video capture card 125 preferably includes a container shapecalculation circuit 132. On the basis of the video picture of thecontainer, the circuit 132 is capable of calculating a characteristicexpression of the shape of the container, such as the container'scontour, surface area, cross-section or the like.

In those cases where the container B is a bottle of glass or plastic, itwould be expedient to illuminate the bottle, e.g., with the aid of thelighting unit 129. The video camera 109 may expediently be a black andwhite camera, but use of a colour video camera is also conceivable. If acolour video camera is used, a colour determination circuit 133 which isincluded in the video capture card 125 can be put to use. The videocapture card 125 may also contain a bar code reader 134 which is adaptedto scan continuously a field of the video image in order to look for andregister a bar code located on the container, indicated by means of thereference numeral 135 in FIG. 3e. The bar code will in a number of casesgive indirect information with regard to, e.g., the colour of thebottle, so that use of a black and white camera is sufficient. The videocapture card may also include, in connection with the bar code reader134, a circuit which causes the container to be conveyed back to theinsertion portion 115 of the reverse vending apparatus if themicroprocessor 124 does not accept the container because of the bar codereading made by the bar code reader 134.

As shown in FIG. 1, a small gap will occur between the conveyors 102 and201, i.e., between respective rotatory rollers 105 and 202. Conventionalbar code sensors 162, 163 and 164 may be located in the gap, and whereeach will cover an area of detection on the container equal to about120°.

The reference numeral 138' in FIG. 3e denotes typical and possiblylongitudinal markings in the video image of a container, which indicatethat the bottle wholly or partly contains liquid. In the illustratedcase a small residue is present in the bottle. This can be registered bya subcircuit 138. Owing to the varying weight of the bottle, it will becrucial to supplement the video image analysis with a weighing by usingthe load cell 117, and also a capacitance meter 137.

FIGS. 3f and 3g show the container, here in the form of a bottle, on itsway out of the detection area.

The video capture card 125, with its subcircuits 130, 131, 132, 133,134, 136 and 138, communicates with the motherboard 124 via theexpansion bus 128, and the motor control card 126 is thus actuated viathe motherboard 124. The same applies to the motor auxillary card 127.

FIG. 4 shows a flow chart in connection with some of the detectionfunctions attended to by the video capture card. At block 139 thereappears a new article in the form of a container B, as shown in FIG. 3bor FIG. 3c. If someone tries to insert a container from the back of themachine, e.g., from sections 200 or 300, block 140 will decide whetherthis happens or not. Thus, if a container is moved into the detectionsector in such a way that it arrives from the left in the video imageswhich are shown in FIG. 3, block 140 will emit an affirmative signal,which will set off an alarm at block 141 as an indication of attemptedswindle. If this happens, the reverse vending apparatus will stop itsfunction as shown in block 142, as in this case there must be a pausefor the manual resetting of the reverse vending apparatus. If no attemptat swindle is made, so that the container, bottle or, e.g., can, is thusfed into the detection zone from right to left as shown in FIG. 3, theblock 140 will emit a negative signal, which initiates at block 143operation of insertion motor 106. In block 144 the insertion analyser130 will decide whether the container is inserted bottom first. If thisis not the case, a negative signal will be discharged from the block144, which at block 145 initiates a message to the apparatus user toinsert the container, in this example a bottle, "bottle bottom first". Amessage of this kind can, e.g., be shown on the display 113.Subsequently the insertion is stopped in that the motor 106 is stopped,as indicated by block 146. There is then a short pause whilst theapparatus user retrieves the container, that is, e.g., the bottle orcan, for reinsertion, as is indicated by block 147. If it is establishedat block 144 that the container is inserted bottom first, an affirmativesignal is emitted. Subsequently it is established at block 148 whetherthe container's top, in this case the bottle top portion, is visible ornot. If the container top is not visible, as in FIG. 3d, a negativesignal is emitted from the block 148, which via block 143 causes theinsertion motor 106 to be run until the container top is visible. Asfurther indicated by block 149 the container in this case is analysedand classified, e.g., by using one or more the circuits 130-134 and 136,138. If the container, e.g, a bottle, is deemed to be accepted, asindicated by block 150, an affirmative signal is emitted. At block 151the digital signal processor in the video capture card 125 asks whetherthe container has passed the detection area or the shape chamber. If thecontainer has come as far in the video image as shown in FIG. 3g, theposition detector 131 will emit an affirmative signal, which, asindicated at block 152, signals that the return deposit value is to beaccumulated in the motherboard 124. Subsequently a "bottle processed"signal 153 is emitted.

If, after analysis and classification at block 149, a bottle orcontainer is perceived as unacceptable in connection with block 150, anegative signal will go out from block 150 to a message block 154 whichgives a "retrieve" message to the apparatus user. Furthermore, at block155 the reversal of the insertion direction of the conveyor 102 will beinitiated. There is then a pause, as indicated by block 156, for theremoval of the container or bottle.

As is thus shown and described in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4, it willbe understood that if a container, e.g., a bottle, is insertedincorrectly, i.e., mouth first, this will be detected in an efficientmanner and measures likewise taken.

The section 200 of the reverse vending apparatus will now be describedin more detail with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5-9. This section of theapparatus is designed for sorting containers which are inserted andwhich pass through the section 100.

In FIG. 1 there is shown downstream of the conveyor 102 a furtherconveyor 201 which has a first rotatory roller unit 202 and a secondrotatory roller unit 203. The first roller unit 202 has a stationaryaxis of rotation 204. The roller unit 202 is mounted in a fixed bracket205. A first motor 206 is operatively connected to the roller unit 202via a transmission 207. The motor 206 thereby causes rotation of theroller unit 202. Consequently, rotation of the second roller unit 203 isalso effected in that a plurality of adjacently disposed elastic beltsor bands 208, 209, 210 and 211 are provided, which run in grooves madefor this purpose, such as the grooves 212, 213, 214 and 215 on theroller unit 203. The belts or bands 208-211 may, e.g., have a circular,rectangular, triangular or other polygonal cross-section. When the motor206 rotates and moves the transmission 207 so that the first roller unit202 rotates in its holder 205, the second roller unit 203 will rotatebecause of the movement of the conveyor belt 208-211. The second rollerunit 203 is mounted in a holder 216.

The conveyor 201 has a supporting frame 217 to which is secured a motorbracket 218 in which a motor 219 is suspended. The holder 216 istiltable. The motor 219 will via a connection 220 be made capable ofsteering the tiltable holder 216 in one direction or another in a planetransverse of the conveyor 201 from a centre position (as shown in FIG.6) where the axis of rotation of the second roller unit is parallel tothe axis of rotation of the first roller unit. The axis of rotation ofthe second roller unit is in FIG. 6 denoted by the reference numeral221.

The detector unit, as represented by the motherboard 124 and the videocapture card 125, contains a control circuit 156, advantageouslyprovided on the motherboard 124, which control circuit 156, on the basisof data linked to the detectable container with a view to whether thecontainer is to be sorted out in the station 200 or conveyed further,either actuates the second motor 219 to turn in order to tilt the secondroller unit 203 holder 216 a certain angel (α1; α2) to one side or theother, as indicated in FIGS. 7 and 8 in order to cause a container ofthe type in question, e.g., B, which is lying on the conveyor 201 to betipped to one side or the other to a first exit 222 as indicated inFIGS. 1 and 7, or to a second exit 223 as shown in FIG. 1 and indicatedin FIG. 8. If the container, e.g., a bottler or a can, is not to besorted out to the said exit 222 or 223, the container B is moved furtherat α1=°2=0°, in that the motor 219 keeps the holder 216 still in thecentre position as shown in FIG. 6, so that the container is caused toleave the conveyor 201 at a third exit 224 downstream of the secondroller unit 203, i.e., at the entrance to the third section 300 (seeFIG. 9). If containers are discharged to the first exit 222, these willbe fed via a chute to the exit 115 in the first section 100. These maybe containers which have a defect or which under no circumstances can beaccepted by the apparatus. Containers which are discharged to the secondexit 223 may, e.g., be metal cans such as aluminium cans which are to becarried further for compaction in any case and do not need to be fed tothe section 300.

The exit 223 may conceivably contain a controllable flap 228 driven by amotor or actuator 229. The flap 228 will thus in reality serve as anextra container sorter at the exit 223. Corresponding flaps mayoptionally be provided at the exit 222 (not shown in FIG. 1).

As is shown in FIGS. 5-9, the roller units 201 and 203 preferably have adouble-cone configuration, a so-called "diabolo" shape. The motors 206and 219 are preferably stepping motors.

Containers of metal which contain metal, e.g., steel, metal cans whichwholly or partly contain or consist of steel or containers which containforeign bodies will normally be sorted out to the first exit 222 forreturn to the reverse vending apparatus user, as such containersnormally will not be accepted because they can neither be compacted,further treated or recycled. These must therefore be dealt with inanother way.

If there is an increased sorting requirement, and in addition there issufficient space at the installation site, it will be possible toconnect two or more conveyors 201 one after the other, as indicated inFIG. 5b by means of the reference numerals 201, 201', 201". The numberof sorting exits will thus be S=2N+1, wherein N is the number ofconveyors.

At the downstream end of the conveyor 201, there is provided accordingto the invention, a bottle raiser 310, with a view to conductingtransported bottles B which arrive bottom B2 first from a lyingposition, as indicated to the right in FIGS. 10 and 11, to a vertical orstanding position as shown clearly in FIG. 11. The bottle raisercomprises a curved guide duct or shaft 302 which provides a guide orslide for the bottle B and a shock absorbing rest 303. The guide duct302 may be of different lengths and may be constructed to guide bottlesacross of distance of some meters, e.g., from one floor to a floorbelow, as indicated in FIG. 23. For this purpose the guide duct mayhave, e.g., an upright portion 302'. Uppermost the guide duct 302' mayrun into a curved portion 302" for transferring the bottles in lyingposition to the guide duct 302'. Alternatively, as indicated by mean ofthe reference numeral 302'", the bottle raiser may also conceivably beused for bottles which are discharged from a reverse vending apparatus400 in standing position. The bottle will thus arrive in standingposition with it bottom against the rest 303. Optionally, the rest 303may be positioned horizontally. A bottle stabiliser indicated by meansof the reference numeral 304 is operated by a stepping motor 305 (forthe sake of simplicity only shown in FIG. 12). The bottle stabiliser 304is a rotatable unit having at least one vertical wing 306 which issecured to a vertical spindle 307. In a first position of the bottlestabiliser, the wing shown in FIG. 13 will be in contact freedom withthe bottle B as a function of data calculated by the motherboard 124 ofthe detector section relating to the bottle, e.g., diameter, height andweight, whereby the bottle B is capable of being guided freely downtowards the rest 303. Then the wing 306, on control from the motherboardand thus via the motor control card 126, will be brought into a secondposition as shown in FIG. 15 in contact against a portion of the bottleand push the bottle B towards a back wall 308 in said duct or shaft 302.The bottle stabiliser 304 is made so that it also functions as a bottleejector. For this purpose the bottle stabiliser can, for example, beequipped with additional wings, e.g., wings 309 and 310, the motor 305on stabilisation as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 turning, when seen fromabove, anti-clockwise, whilst the unit 304, as shown in FIG. 17, turnsclockwise thereby causing the wing 310 to push the bottle B onto afurther conveyor 311, preferably with the aid of a guide wall 312.

In a preferred embodiment, the combined bottler stabiliser and bottleejector 304 is preferably equipped with three vertical wings. However,it will be understood that it is fully possible to use a smaller numberof wings or perhaps a large number of wings if the bottle dimensions aresmall or the spindle 307 is some distance from the side of the guideduct or shaft 302.

In a preferred embodiment, the combined bottler stabiliser and bottlerejector 304 is preferably equipped with three vertical wings. However,it will be understood that it is fully possible to use a smaller numberof wings or perhaps a large number of wings if the bottle dimensions aresmaller the spindle 307 is some distance from the side of the guide ductor shaft 302.

As can be seen clearly from FIGS. 10-12, 14, 16, 18 and 20, at least thelower portion of the wings 306, 309 and 310 are made having a pluralityof fingers, such as the fingers 313, 314, 315, 316, for the wing 306 andthe fingers 317, 318, 319 and 320 for the wing 309, as shown in FIG. 12.The fingers on the wing 310 are poorly visible in FIG. 20, but will havea design corresponding to those on the wings 306 and 309.

As can be seen from FIG. 11 in particular, the back wall 308 is alsomade having fingers 321, 322, 323, 324 and 325, so that the fingerportions on the wings 306, 309 and 310 can pass between the mutual spacebetween the fingers 321-325 of the back wall.

As can be seen from FIGS. 12-21, the respective wings 306, 309 and 310in the rotating unit which constitutes both the bottle stabiliser andthe bottle ejector are slightly curved.

This curve is desirable in order to ensure a controlled stabilisationand ejection. The wings 306, 309 and 310 have preferably the sameangular separation.

Once the wing 310 has ejected a bottle B, a new bottle B comes intoplace on the horizontal rest 303 and is ready for stabilisation with theaid of the wing 310 which has just ejected the bottle. Thus, accordingto a preferred embodiment of the invention, it will always be the wingwhich has ejected the previous bottle which will have a stabilisingeffect on the next bottle. Thus, an efficient operation is achieved bythe combined bottle stabiliser and bottle ejector 304. In order toregister that a bottle comes into place on the rest 303, there may beprovided at a lower portion of the guide, an arrival sensor 326 whichviews the space at the bottom of the guide or shaft 302. It is alsopossible to provide bottle position sensors, e.g., 333 and 334, along ahigher portion of the guide or shaft 302. The conveyor 311 is driven bya motor 327, which for the sake of simplicity is indicated on only FIG.12. The conveyor 311 will, with the aid of the motor 327, cause theejected bottles to be transported further. The conveyor 311 may eitherconvey the bottles in the same direction as they were conveyed throughthe sections 100 and 200, or provide transport in a transverse directionwith the aid of a transversely positioned conveyor 335, as shown in FIG.22. In this case the guide wall 321 should be extended and made having acurve as is shown by means of the reference numeral 336.

The motor 327 may either be a motor designed for continuous operation ofa typical stepping motor. The conveyor 311 is operated in a known wayper se over respective end rollers 328 and 329. As for the positionsensor 327 in connection with the bottle raiser 301, it may also beexpedient to provide the bracket 218 with a position sensor 225 whichview an indicator 226 which is fixedly mounted on the tiltable holder216. In this way a centre position for the holder 216 can always beaccurately registered. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a positionsensor 227 on the actual frame of the conveyor 201 close to the positionof the holder 216, so that when the sensor 227 registers that acontainer bottom has reached the position of the sensor 227 and is to bethrown out to one side or the other as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8,respectively, the motor 206 is made to stop, whilst the motor 219operates to tilt the holder 216 to one side or the other as shown inFIGS. 7 and 8.

From the motherboard 124 as shown in FIG. 2 there is a possibility ofcontrol to and from a check-out unit in a shop or supermarket, asindicated by the line 157. 230 V AC is supplied to a power supply 158which gives out +24 V DC to inter alia the motherboard. In connectionwith the power supply there is provided a network distributor card 159which is connected to a 12-channel serial bus which communicates withthe motherboard 124, and where the bus is also connected to an in/outchannel card 161 which on detection of, e.g., a stoppage in thedischarge from the conveyor 311, as a result of a stoppage signal from adetector 330, emits a external alarm 331. The stoppage may beattributable to the fact that a collection table 332, which followsimmediately after the conveyor 311, has become full.

Within the scope of the invention, as defined in the claims below,modifications of the individual embodiments will of course be possiblewithout thereby departing from the inventive idea.

What is claimed:
 1. A method for detecting containers having a topregion and a bottom region, including bottles of glass or plastic thathave a mouth at the top region, or cans made of metal, wood, glass orplastic which for the recycling of materials or reuse of the container,are transported in a lying position with their axes parallel to thedirection of transport past a detection zone associated with a detectorstation containing a video camera, a video image analysis of thecontainer being carried out, characterised by:a) analysing a sequence ofvideo images of the container while it is conveyed past the videocamera, b) determining the position and movement of the container in aviewing region of the video camera on the basis of continuous detectionof the position and movement of the container in the video images, andc) determining, during the movement of the container, by means of theimages of the container which moves into the detection zone whether thecontainer enters the video camera field of view either with its topregion first or bottom region first, and causing the container to be fedback to a container insertion portion if it comes mouth first, andsignalling the need to turn the container so that it is inserted bottomfirst when reinserted, or causing the container to be conveyed on to adischarge station if it comes bottom first.
 2. A method as disclosed inclaim 1, characterised in the further step of calculating on the basisof the video images of the container a characteristic expression of theshape of the container, including contour, surface area in the videoimage, and cross-section.
 3. A method of disclosed in claim 1,characterised by producing color video images of a container which is abottle of plastic or glass, and determining the color of the containerin the video images based on the bottle's light transmissivity for lightwhich is emitted in a cluster or wave lengths.
 4. A method as disclosedin claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised by determining the most suitable videoimages with a view to recognition and identification of the container.5. A method as disclosed in claim 1, characterised by continuouslyscanning a field of the video images of the container to search for andregister a bar code located on the container.
 6. A method as disclosedin claim 1, characterised by observing any longitudinal markings in thevideo image of a container which is a bottle emitting a signalindicating that the container wholly or partly contains liquid oranother substance, and possibly returning the container to the user foremptying prior to reinsertion.
 7. A method as disclosed in claim 6,characterised in that in addition the container is weighed and acapacitance measurement is carried out.
 8. A method as disclosed inclaim 1 or 6, characterised in that in addition it is analysed whetherthe container is of a specific metal type.
 9. A device for detectingcontainers having a top region and a bottom region, including bottles ofglass or plastic that have a mouth at the top region, or cans made ofmetal, wood, glass or plastic which for the recycling of materials orreuse of the container, are transported in a lying position with theiraxes parallel to the direction of transport past a detection zoneassociated with a detector station containing a video camera and, avideo image analyser to provide a video image analysis of the container,characterised in thata) the video image analyser is connected to thevideo camera in order to analyse a sequence of video images of acontainer while the container is conveyed past the video camera, thevideo analyser containing: b) a position detector for determining theposition and movement of the container in a viewing region of the videocamera on the basis of continuous detection of the position and movementof the container in the video images, c) a calculator component fordetermining, when the container moves into the detection zone, whetherthe container enters the video camera field of view with its top regionfirst or bottom region first, and d) a control component which causesthe container to be fed back to a container insertion portion if itcomes mouth first, and which has a signalling means for signalling theneed to turn the container so that it is inserted bottom first whenreinserted, or causes the container to be fed on to a discharge stationif it comes bottom first.
 10. A device as disclosed in claim 9,characterised in that in the analyser there may also be included acontainer shape calculation circuit which on the basis of the videoimages of the container is adapted to calculate a characteristicexpression of the shape of the container, including its contour, surfacearea in the video image, and cross-section.
 11. A device as disclosed inclaim 9 or 10, characterised in that the video camera is a color videocamera, that the container is a bottle of glass or plastic, that alighting unit is provided to illuminate the container, and that theanalyser contains a color determination circuit for establishing thecolor of the container in the video images based on the lighttransmissivity of the container to light which is emitted in a clusterof wave-lengths when the container is a bottle of glass or plastic. 12.A device as disclosed in claim 9 or 10, characterised in that theanalyser contains a bar code reader which is adapted to scancontinuously a field of a video image in order to search for andregister a bar code located on the container.
 13. A device as disclosedin claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the analyser contains a circuitwhich determines the best video image of the container with a view torecognition and identification.
 14. A device as disclosed in claim 9,characterised in that the analyser contains a circuit which is adaptedso that when it observes any longitudinal markings in the video imagesof a container which is a bottle it will emit a signal indicating thatthe bottle, wholly or partly, contains liquid or another substance. 15.A device as disclosed in claim 14, characterised in that said signalemission circuits is adapted to interact with a load cell to weigh thecontainer and a meter for measuring a capacitance value of thecontainer.
 16. A device as disclosed in claim 9 or 14 or 15,characterised in that in connection with the detector station there isprovided a metal detector.
 17. A device as disclosed in claim 11,characterised in that the analyser contains a bar code reader which isadapted to scan continuously a field of a video image in order to searchfor and register a bar code located on the container.
 18. A device asdisclosed in claim 11, characterised in that the analyser contains acircuit which determines the best video image to the container with aview to recognition and identification.
 19. A device as disclosed inclaim 12, characterised in that the analyser contains a circuit whichdetermines the best video image of the container with a view torecognition and identification.
 20. A method for detecting containershaving a top region and a bottom region, including bottles of glass orplastic that have a mouth at the top region, or cans made of metal,wood, glass or plastic which for the recycling of materials or reuse ofthe container, are transported in a lying position with their axesparallel to the direction of transport past a detection zone associatedwith a detector station containing a video camera, a video imageanalysis of the container being carried out, characterised by:a)analysing a sequence of video images of the container while it isconveyed past the video camera, and b) determining, during the movementof the container, by means of the images of the container which movesinto the detection zone whether the container enters the video camerafield of view either with its top region first or bottom region first,and causing the container to be fed back to a container insertionportion if it comes mouth first, and signalling the need to turn thecontainer so that it is inserted bottom first when reinserted, orcausing the container to be conveyed on to a discharge station if itcomes bottom first.
 21. A method as disclosed in claim 20, characterisedin the further step of calculating on the basis of the video images ofthe container a characteristic expression of the shape of the container,including contour, surface area in the video image, and cross-section.22. A method as disclosed in claim 20, characterised by producing colorvideo images of a container which is a bottle of plastic or glass, anddetermining the color of the container in the video images based on thebottle's light transmissivity for light which is emitted in a cluster ofwave lengths.
 23. A method as disclosed in claim 20, 21 or 22,characterised by determining the most suitable video image with a viewto recognition and identification of the container.
 24. A method asdisclosed in claim 20, characterised by continuously scanning a field ofthe video images of the container to search for and register a bar codelocated on the container.
 25. A method as disclosed in claim 20,characterised by observing any longitudinal markings in the video imagesof a container which is a bottle, emitting a signal indicating that thecontainer wholly or partly contains liquid or another substance, andpossibly returning the container to the user for emptying prior toreinsertion.
 26. A method as disclosed in claim 25, characterised inthat in addition the container is weighed and a capacitance measurementis carried out.
 27. A method as disclosed in claim 20 or 25,characterised in that in addition it is analysed whether the containeris of a specific metal type.
 28. A device for detecting containershaving a top region and a bottom region, including bottles of glass orplastic that have a mouth at the top region, or cans made of metal,wood, glass or plastic which for the recycling of materials or reuse ofthe container, are transported in a lying position with their axesparallel to the direction of transport past a detection zone associateswith a detector station containing a video camera, and a video imageanalyser to provide video image analysis of the container, characterisedin thata) the video image analyser is connected to the video camera inorder to analyse a sequence of video images of a container while thecontainer is conveyed past the video camera, the video analysercontaining: b) a calculator component for determining, when thecontainer moves into the detection zone, whether the container entersthe video camera field of view with its top region first or bottomregion first, and c) a control component which causes the container tobe fed back to a container insertion portion if it comes mouth first,and which has a signalling means for signalling the need to turn thecontainer so that it is inserted bottom first when reinserted, or causesthe container to be fed on to a discharge station if it comes bottomfirst.
 29. A device as disclosed in claim 28, characterised in that inthe analyser there may also be included a container shape calculationcircuit which on the basis of the video images of the container isadapted to calculate a characteristic expression of the shape of thecontainer, including its contour, surface area in the video image, andcross-section.
 30. A device as disclosed in claim 28 or 29,characterised in that the video camera is a color video camera, that thecontainer is a bottle of glass or plastic, that a lighting unit isprovided to illuminate the container, and that the analyser contains acolor determination circuit for establishing the color of the containerin the video images based on the light transmissivity of the containerto light which is emitted in a cluster of wave-lengths when thecontainer is a bottle of glass or plastic.
 31. A device as disclosed inclaim 28 or 29, characterised in that the analyser contains a bar codereader which is adapted to scan continuously a field of a video image inorder to search for and register a bar code located on the container.32. A device as disclosed in claim 28 or 29, characterised in that theanalyser contains a circuit which determines the best video image of thecontainer with a view to recognition and identification.
 33. A device asdisclosed in claim 28, characterised in that the analyser contains acircuit which is adapted so that when it observes any longitudinalmarkings in the video images of a container which is a bottle it willemit a signal indicating that the bottle, wholly or partly, containsliquid or another substance.
 34. A device as disclosed in claim 33,characterised in that said signal emission circuit is adapted tointeract with a load cell to weigh the container and a meter formeasuring a capacitance value of the container.
 35. A device asdisclosed in claim 28, 33 or 34, characterised in that in connectionwith the detector station there is provided a metal detector.
 36. Adevice as disclosed in claim 30, characterised in that the analysercontains a bar code reader which is adapted to scan continuously a fieldof a video image in order to search for and register a bar code locatedon the container.
 37. A device as disclosed in claim 30, characterisedin that the analyser contains a circuit which determines the best videoimage of the container with a view to recognition and identification.38. A device as disclosed in claim 36, characterised in that theanalyser contains a circuit which determines the best video image of thecontainer with a view to recognition and identification.